The Rock in Chicago Show

Episode 39: Trey Elder

Trey Elder has worn many hats since arriving in Chicago, ranging from sound engineer at the infamous Double Door, Head of Sales & Consulting at Intelligentsia Coffee, American whiskey connoisseur and educator, and Operations Manager of Jerry’s restaurants While at Jerry’s, Elder booked an eclectic array of music 7 nights a week for several years, organized many craft beer and spirits focused dinners and events, as well as oversaw all PR and marketing. In 2019, Elder launched Quiet Pterodactyl, a non-profit that creates experiences, enjoyment, education, and entry into arts and music. In his “spare time”, Elder has created music in various original projects, as well as booked/promoted local and national touring acts at venues all over Chicago. Elder is a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, and currently serves on planning committees with the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce on Chicago’s north side. In this episode we dive into Trey's history with involvement with various facets into Chicago's music community along with the history of Quiet Pterodactyl and his work during the pandemic to help both artists and venues. Featured Tracks: Miirrors: Sinistry Moritat: Weapons Neptune's Core: Turning Red

Episode 38: Al Rose

Al Rose is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter and musician with a unique and powerful vision which has helped drive his work as originally co-leader of Buffalo Trout, to his years spent as a solo performer and also leading his current band, featuring a roster of top-shelf musicians, The Transcendos. Al's latest release and eighth album, Again the Beginner is a set of 13 good and true songs which features some of his best work musically combined with some of the most nervy and scathing set of lyrics he’s yet composed. It’s a heartening and bracing experience; one man’s attempt to come to terms with modern times and that broken feeling many folks today feel in the pit of their stomach. The stakes couldn’t be higher: this is your life; our time is running short, and every personal crisis seems tied to an accumulating sense of public dread. After all, a lot has happened since Rose dropped his last album in 2016, a resurgence of authoritarian encroachment, COVID-19, and unstinting attacks on democracy at home and abroad. Featured Tracks: Don't Know Why Shooting Straight Sign on the Doorpost Said & Done Dignity & Grace

Episode 37: Mark Lofgren

Like most musicians operating under the new normal, Mark Lofgren (The Luck of Eden Hall, The Thin Cherries) has been spending time in his home studio crafting intimate recordings. Black Moon Book II, an album of exquisite bedroom pop that touches on relationships, memory, isolation and, most explicitly, the healing power of hope and love, is the follow -up to his Black Moon Book released in 2020 and his 2014 solo debut, The Past Perfect. In this episode Erik and Mark have a pretty wide-ranging conversation around pets, family, studio work, coping with the pandemic, work-life balance in the tech/creative space while diving into the creative process behind making of Black Moon Book II. Featured Tracks: Waxing Crescent We Don't Leave The Yard Waning Crescent More at markalanlofgren.bandcamp.com

Episode 36: Jason, Martin, and Jake from Idol Throne

Idol Throne is a Power-thrash metal quintet from Northwest Indiana with strong progressive tendencies. [FFO: Crescent Shield, Destiny's End, Jag Panzer, Helstar, Fates Warning] In this episode Erik Oldman chats with guitarists Jason Schultz, Martin Bowman and vocalist Jake Quintanilla about the band's formation and the process for creating their full-length release "The Sibylline Age" (Stormspell Records) Featured Tracks: Unholy Warrior Raven's Blade White Wolf

Episode 35: Unto the Earth

Unto the Earth is a four piece metal band out of Chicago, straddling the lines between stoner, desert, doom, and sludge, with shoegaze and heavy psych influences. Formed in 2019, they have embarked on a musical odyssey that combines driving drums, melodic basslines, layered guitars, and evocative lyrics, while paying tribute to the influences of their youth. Erik Oldman chats with bassist and vocalist Simeon and guitarists Yosh and Jed about the collective creative process around their debuit full-length "The Dawning", how the band came together and what they have coming up for this year as part of the release plan. Featured Tracks: It's a Good Day To Die Awake the Elders Demons of Demolition Strange Riders